Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering

Florida Atlantic University

Course Syllabus

1. Course title/number, number of credit hours
Ground Improvement Design – CEG 4124 / 3 credit hours
2. Course prerequisites, corequisites, and where the course fits in the program of study
Prerequisites: CEG3011C-Soil Mechanics with Minimum Grade of "C"
3. Course logistics
Term: Spring XXXXX
This is a lecture course. Fully online.
Class location and time: Discussion section once a week. TBA
4. Instructor contact information
Instructor’s name
Office address
Office Hours
Contact telephone number
Email address / Dr. K. Sobhan, Professor
Engineering West (EG-36) Bldg., Room 221
T-R 11:00 -1:00 PM
561-297-3473

5. TA contact information
TA’s name
Office address
Office Hours
Contact telephone number
Email address / NA
6. Course description
Soil physical and mechanical properties; ground improvement techniques and classifications; chemical and mechanical stabilization; ground improvement design concepts and procedures; design of reinforced soils; designing with geosynthetics; foundations and pavement applications.
7. Course objectives/student learning outcomes/program outcomes
Course objectives / A.  To understand the definition and need for ground improvement
B.  To learn about methods and classifications of ground improvement
C.  To quantify the effects of ground improvement on soil properties
D.  To learn about the fundamentals of designing with geosynthetics
E.  To learn the design methods for selected ground improvement techniques in foundations and pavement applications
Student learning outcomes
& relationship to ABET a-k objectives / I.  Ability to understand the need and significance of ground improvement and soil stabilization (a,b,e,f)
II.  Ability to select appropriate ground improvement solutions under various site specific conditions (a,b,c,f,h)
III.  Ability to perform analysis and design with selected ground improvement methods (a,b,c,d,f)
IV.  Ability to perform analysis and design with geosynthetics in selected foundations, slopes and pavement applications (a,b,c,f,g,h)
8. Course evaluation method
Mid Term Exam: 30%
Homework 10%
Design Project: 30%
Final Exam: 30% / Note: The minimum grade required to pass the course is C.
9. Course grading scale
There is no fixed criterion for the grading scale. The overall performance as related to course objectives and outcomes is evaluated and considered during grading.
10. Policy on makeup tests, late work, and incompletes
Makeup tests are given only if there is solid evidence of a medical or otherwise serious emergency that prevented the student of participating in the exam. Makeup exam should be administered and proctored by department personnel unless there are other pre-approved arrangements.
Late work is not acceptable.
Incomplete grades are against the policy of the department. Unless there is solid evidence of medical or otherwise serious emergency situation incomplete grades will not be given.
11. Special course requirements
None
12. Classroom etiquette policy
University policy requires that in order to enhance and maintain a productive atmosphere for education, personal communication devices, such as cellular phones and laptops, are to be disabled in class sessions.
13. Disability policy statement
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), students who require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to properly execute coursework must register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)—in Boca Raton, SU 133 (561-297-3880); in Davie, LA 131 (954-236-1222); or in Jupiter, SR 110 (561-799-8585) —and follow all SAS procedures.
14. Honor code policy
Students at Florida Atlantic University are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. Academic dishonesty is considered a serious breach of these ethical standards, because it interferes with the university mission to provide a high quality education in which no student enjoys unfair advantage over any other. Academic dishonesty is also destructive of the university community, which is grounded in a system of mutual trust and place high value on personal integrity and individual responsibility. Harsh penalties are associated with academic dishonesty. See University Regulation 4.001 at www.fau.edu/regulations/chapter4/4.001_Code_of_Academic_Integrity.pdf
15. Required texts/reading
Principles and Practice of Ground Improvement, Jie Han, Wiley, 2015
16. Supplementary/recommended readings
Principles of Foundation Engineering, Ninth Edition, Das/Sivakugan, Cengage Learning, 2018
Designing with Geosynthetics, by Robert M Koerner, Fifth Edn., Pearson, 2005
Ground Improvement, Ground Reinforcement, Ground Treatment, ASCE Geotechnical Special Publication 69, Edited by Vernon R. Schaefer, 1997
Reinforcement of Earth Slopes and Embankments, NCHRP 290, 1987
Soil Improvement – A 10 Year Update, ASCE Geotechnical Special Publication No. 12, 1987
Engineering Principles of Ground Modification, by M. R. Hausmann, McGraw Hill, 1990
17. Course topical outline, including dates for exams/quizzes, papers, completion of reading
Topics:
Introduction
Ground Modification: Significance, Principles and Definitions
Fundamental Concepts in Soil Mechanics
Ground Modification: Methods and Mechanics
Chemical Stabilization
Mechanical Stabilization
Soil Reinforcement: Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls, Fiber reinforced soil
Ground Anchors
Designing with geosynthetics
Selected case histories

CEG 4124 Ground Improvement Design

Spring XXXX

KS